Fresh from the Philippines close to 20 autumns ago, I was told: “Pare, after three summers or maybe less, you will begin to hate the frigid Arctic air and the snow.” Dislike the brutal icy atmosphere? Yes. However, obeying marching orders like “Bundle up” “Wear warm” and “Get layered” makes perfect sense and results in better conditions. Payo… Read More »
On January 17, 2022, a blizzard passed by and covered Toronto with some 55 centimetres of snow. There was nothing like it, perhaps since 1935; although some friends, in phone conversations, quipped that the latest blizzard was pale compared to what occurred in the winter of 1999. From an apartment window the following morning, I was dumbfounded to… Read More »
Ang pagbabasa ay isang matuwid na libangan at pampalipas lockdown (partial man o full). Bukod dito, sari-saring pananaw ang maaaring lumantad, na makapagpapalapad at makapagtataas ng antas ng kaalaman sa mga bagay-bagay na may pangakong tulong sa pagharap sa buhay-buhay. Kaya naman nang madaanan ko’t mabasa ang isang sanaysay na naitala ng isang kaibigan sa worldwide web, pinagpasyahan… Read More »
It is a universal fact that sports fans will never tire of rooting for their teams. Even if the Raptors seem to miss the hometown hoop, I still believe that in the long 82-game season, a place in the playoffs is still in their sights. Konting kayod pa, .500 na. I am a never-say-die fan. Peks man! Makulam… Read More »
A Christmas melody was playing over the radio in a Toronto home in 2019. Suddenly, my 87-year old mom hummed and then sang along: “Hmmmm. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. And on every street corner you’ll hear: Silver bells,… Read More »
Bad weather, nasty waves recently knocked off container vans from a Vancouver-bound cargo ship from South Korea. Many of the vans were said to have floated, or swam, ashore. Worse, a fire broke out at the ship. Whew! They’re safe and on the way to the Philippines, those Balikbayan boxes. ***** There is that hopeful chance that the… Read More »
Quoting a social media meme: My therapist told me to “write letters to the people you hate and then burn them.” Did that, but now I don’t know what to do with the letters. ***** Mang Kulas says: Bad ang mag-ambisyong tirisin si Boy Surot (Sir Philip M’s cartoon creation). Nais mong gumanti sa mga taong toxic? Isulong… Read More »
Laughter is the best medicine, so they say. Pets and plants ease pain too, if I may. But best of all is shared humour with family and friends to brighten any gloomy day. ***** Surfing the Net, I came across an interesting and exciting post, as quoted below. “Two vacations a month apart! Works well. Vacation mandates! Bull’s… Read More »
Nope. Kung walang himala, wala ring same old, same old. (Kalabaw lang daw ang tumatanda.) Each day is a new day, my friend. Gumising, ngumiti at pasalamatan ang Diyos for the wake-up. Open your eyes to your only chance to capture every moment and make your new day the best you have ever lived. Greet the world with… Read More »
Asked why Canadians played so well in the US Open, Olympian and rising tennis star Leylah Annie Fernandez replied: “I would say it’s the maple syrup.” Cheering for Montreal-born Félix Auger-Aliassime then seeking for a semi-finals berth, Leylah told media: “I’m going to give him a huge jar of maple syrup.” Throwback. Vasek Pospisil, a great Canadian tennister… Read More »